At the same time, behind the Three Venerated Elders, all the royal lords unsheathed their weapons. Their armor radiated light, their treasures gleamed coldly, and a mighty killing intent spread from them.
What an astonishingly formidable group they were. Any one of them could now become king in their own domain; all were top-tier warriors. Together, they could eclipse even the Evergreen Mountain.
“You dare mock Shi Kingdom and disgrace our emperor? Truly, you deserve death!” one middle-aged royal lord coldly declared, his temper fierce. Gripping a halberd, he struck first with a thunderous boom, cleaving the air.
Now that matters had escalated to this point, the elderly men of Evergreen Mountain grew fearful. They quickly dodged, mainly because the enemy was far too overwhelming—three revered elders leading a group of royal lords. It seemed they truly could annihilate them.
“Boom!”
The halberd’s blade slashed outward; they dodged, but one grand palace exploded into dust.
“You’ve gone too far!” an elder from the Qin Clan roared, though his voice had clearly lost its former authority. He lacked confidence now—should a true war break out, Evergreen Mountain would hold no advantage. They only had one revered elder, and though they had magical formations to use, who could match the divine-grade magical artifacts those few held?
The treasures the Three Elders wielded gleamed like suns, exuding divine auras and terrifying waves of power.
Though the Divine King Halberd and the golden magic sword had been damaged in Shi Hao’s last battle, the Shi Kingdom still possessed other divine artifacts—and they had brought them here!
The revered elder of the Qin Clan grew grim. Evergreen Mountain indeed had such artifacts, but only one person could activate them. How could they compare?
Moreover, the formations here had been largely destroyed in the last great battle. Even if fully activated, who could say they’d stop three revered elders wielding divine artifacts?
“You dare oppress my Shi Clan? Today, we’re here to settle accounts. If you refuse to explain yourselves, then what harm is there in erasing your lineage?” the War King coldly declared.
“Would you dare, if Shi Huang were unharmed? Have you forgotten who once overthrew your Evergreen Mountain?” Peng Wang scoffed, tightening his grip. The old woman screamed as countless bones snapped. Then she was thrown to the ground.
“You…” the old woman turned pale, her cultivation half-ruined before she lost consciousness.
“If you don’t give us a satisfactory explanation, then let us fight! What do we Shi Kingdom fear?” the Ming King spoke. Though over a century old, after breaking into the Venerated Elder realm, he remained vigorous and Overwhelming Aura (bàqì), brimming with dominance.
“You…” several elders of the Qin Clan were enraged and regretful.
Such a secret cursed bowl, not even a Venerated Elder could detect—it had been seen through, leaving them helpless.
The reason for this action was their fear that Shi Zi Ling’s couple would implant the celestial bone into Shi Hao’s body. Hence their urgent hope for his death, even at the cost of desperate measures.
In the end, they gritted their teeth and pushed forward an elderly servant of considerable cultivation, claiming everything was done on his independent initiative.
An obvious scapegoat, no one would believe it. Yet it was enough to cause the Qin Clan’s faces to darken. When had they ever been pushed to such a corner?
Today, they were out of reason and strength alike, never having experienced such a situation in the past!
Such restraint—presenting a scapegoat—felt as if they’d been slapped across the face. Every person’s face burned; their hearts flared with fury, unbearable.
For they were the Evergreen Mountain, always looking down upon the Eight Realms, watching over all the kingdoms. Yet today, someone had dared slap them so hard, forcing them to such a state.
Just then, footsteps rang out. A silver glow appeared along the path, approaching steadily, exuding a mighty and sacred aura.
It was a youth, clad in silver armor, his presence heroic and imposing, radiant with divine light, as if a young heavenly deity had descended.
It was indeed Qin Hao, holding a silver war halberd in his hands, pointing it forward, majestic and unassailable!
His gaze was profound as he said, “If you seek war, then come! Who here dares destroy this lineage!”
“Hmph!” the nobles of the Shi Kingdom snorted. Would they fear a mere youth?
Qin Hao wore divine armor, and now, his chest glowed with a flurry of silver-white runes, holy and pure, yet terrifyingly powerful!
The War King and Peng King were unafraid, naturally, but they understood that this young man might be the only one able to save Shi Hao. Thus, they refrained from responding or confronting.
Shi Zi Ling and his wife sighed. Their second son had arrived, and they had no choice but to rise and intervene, to prevent the situation from becoming even more tense.
“Pah!”
Peng Jiu struck, sending the scapegoat’s body shattering into pieces, blood splattering like rain.
In that moment, Qin Hao’s expression stiffened.
On the other side, every person from the Qin Clan turned deathly pale, their brows twitching with fury. Yet they swallowed their rage—they had taken a direct slap across every face.
Just then, Shi Hao awakened, opening his eyes. Looking at everyone, he spoke weakly, “Father, Mother, I do not wish for the Spiritual Bone (xiān gǔ). If this is the price, I’d rather die now!”
Gazing at the War King, Peng Wang, and the others, he said, “Carry me… back to the Shi Kingdom.”
“Hao-er!” Qin Yi Ning seized his hand, unwilling to let him leave.
Shi Hao smiled weakly, saying, “Mother, do not cry. Thank you for your love and care all these years. But I cannot repay you. I refuse to take my brother’s bone. After enduring this, how could I let him suffer the same pain!”
Qin Yi Ning wept bitterly, overwhelmed with sorrow.
Shi Zi Ling clenched his fists, letting out a low growl. It was a heart-wrenching decision, one that would weigh heavily on anyone.
“War King, Peng King, help me up,” Shi Hao said. His eyes lacked their former brilliance; his usual heroism had faded. His illness was severe.
The veteran kings carefully lifted him up, surrounding him protectively.
“I have seen my father and mother. I feel warmth here. I have no regrets,” Shi Hao whispered to his parents softly, a thin line of blood at the corner of his mouth. He turned his gaze to the elder kings, saying, “I have two final wishes: I wish to return to the Shi Kingdom for one last visit, and I ask that you bury me near Shi Village. I wish to rest there.”
“My Emperor!” the War King and others grieved.
This was the most outstanding youth in the world, yet here he was, reduced to this pitiful state. He should have soared gloriously through the heavens, yet he was fated to perish young.
“Your Highness, you will recover.”
“We don’t know where Shi Village is; it’s isolated from the outside world. But Qing Feng will appear soon enough.”
They didn’t know how to comfort him, and the lords stepped forward, gazing at him with sorrow.
“He was destined to reign supreme in the world. Why must he suffer this fate?” they all felt a deep injustice and grief for Shi Hao.
“Let’s go. Back to Shi Kingdom,” Shi Hao softly murmured, before slipping into unconsciousness again, his vitality drained.
“He cannot be moved! In this state, he can’t even cross Void (xū kōng). He wouldn’t survive such a journey,” Shi Zi Ling interjected, stopping them.
The War King and Ming King nodded grimly. Shi Hao was in no condition to be taken. Doing so might kill him outright.
Finally, the half Divine Elixir was dissolved into fragrant liquid, poured into Shi Hao’s mouth. Venerated Elders assisted in refining its power, healing his wounds.
At dawn, sunlight spilled across the courtyard, vibrant and full of life.
Shi Hao awoke, watching the morning glow. He let out a soft sigh, gazing in silence.
Everyone was delighted, his condition seemingly improved. This amazed the renowned physician Zhang Zhong.
“Report! Visitors have arrived!”
At that moment, the Evergreen Mountain received new news. Someone was paying a visit to the mountain, requesting entry at the gate.
“Who?” The Qin Clan frowned, feeling only exasperation.
“It’s people from the Huang Domain (huāng yù) again!”
“Very well, let them in.”
Soon after, under morning skies, came disciples from the Rebuilding Heaven Sect—Xia Youyu, Xiao Tian, Zhou Yuhao, Yan Xin, and many more. Although this sect had been scattered, many of its members had survived.
Hearing of Shi Hao’s misfortune, they were shaken. One so powerful—Little Shi—who should have had an endless future, now facing death, was nearly unbearable.
The Rebuilding Heaven Sect could be rebuilt only because Shi Hao had risen powerfully, sweeping away all enemies, eliminating threats like the Western Ling Beast Mountain.
Dozens crossed mountains and rivers simply to see him once more.
“You’ve come…” Shi Hao smiled. His face was pale, causing sorrow in those watching. The once proud youth was now but a fading shadow, clearly nearing the end of his days.
“He will recover,” they murmured, unable to bear watching him die.
“Report! Visitors at the gate!”
The Evergreen Mountain leadership received another announcement.
In no time, creatures Shi Hao had befriended in the Hundred Fracture Mountains arrived—Nine-Headed Lion, Fire Raven, Five-Color Phoenix, and others. Also present was Nine-Headed Lion’s grandfather, Nine Spirit King. They looked at each other with grief. None could heal Shi Hao.
“Just seeing you is enough to make me happy,” Shi Hao smiled. Though pale, his smile under the morning glow was radiant.
“Royal Prince of the Fire Kingdom pays a visit!”
“The Patriarch of Tai Xuan arrives!”
“Chief Elder of the Azure Feather Clan arrives!”
“The Sovereign of the Spiritual Kindred pays his respects!”
“Green Dragon Water Serpent Elder arrives!”
…
During the next half-day, the Evergreen Mountain gate was nearly crushed under the weight of visitors. Dozens of factions arrived to see Little Shi one last time, paying their final respects.
How many sects had come? Possibly thousands, perhaps even ten thousand!
Not only were there kings among them but even some Venerated Elders who had survived the great tribulation, deeply grateful for Shi Hao’s deeds. Without him, the lower realm would surely have faced catastrophe.
Besides the land-bound warriors, even cultivators from the Ocean Tribes had arrived.
That day saw endless streams of visitors. The accommodation at Evergreen Mountain was bursting at the seams. It was a grand spectacle—how many could ever receive such reverence?
The masses were awestruck. Little Shi’s influence exceeded all expectations, even unsettling the Qin Clan.
This time, Shi Hao had eliminated Seven Deities, earning the gratitude of many powerful factions. Without him, calamity had surely awaited, and all sects would have been forced to obey divine commandments.
Tragically, Shi Hao would soon die. Though it was a grand gathering, it was no celebration. His brilliance fading so soon drew countless sighs.
So many arrived that Shi Zi Ling, War King, Peng Jiu, and others had to intervene, preventing further visits. Too many would harm Shi Hao’s condition.
All day, streams of people continued to arrive, the Evergreen Mountain overwhelmed. Most were here to visit Shi Hao, though a few sought to confirm whether he would truly perish.
By dusk, Shi Hao’s courtyard quieted. Only the elite were allowed near.
“Your Majesty, your body is weak. No one can say how things will end. Why not inscribe the Kunpeng Divine Art now, or it may be lost forever.”
A few senior officials of Evergreen Mountain were permitted a visit. Naturally, the War King, Shi Zi Ling, and others watched closely. One elder from the Qin Clan thus spoke.
“What do you mean?” Peng Jiu immediately stood, glaring furiously.
Ming Wang also grew furious, roaring, “For half the time, the emperor has been unconscious. He is only briefly lucid, coughing blood. In this state, you dare scheme, wanting him to expend his last strength engraving such complex and profound runes? Do you wish him dead this instant?”
“Fine plan by your Qin Clan!” the War King also darkened his face, anger filling his chest. He knew it was the Qin Clan’s intention for Shi Hao to pass the supreme Art onto Qin Hao.
The elder kings had been holding their tempers, because they did want the Spiritual Bone (xiān gǔ) to heal Shi Hao, thus having to endure. Otherwise, they would have erupted long ago.
Hearing this, Shi Hao hesitated, then waved his hand, calming them. Sighing, he said, “My mind has been clouded by illness. Even in brief clarity, my thoughts scatter too much. Bring me a divine bone. I shall inscribe the Kunpeng Art.”
“My Emperor!” the War King and Peng Wang cried out anxiously. The Kunpeng Art was among the most complex and mysterious of all. It couldn’t be casually inscribed.
Recall that years ago, when Shi Hao viewed this Art in the Kunpeng Nest at the Northern Sea, he had spent several days just memorizing the star-like glyphs.
Now, in this state—if he attempted to inscribe the Art, it would literally kill him.
“Son, no!” his parents tried to stop him, refusing to allow it.
“My decision is firm,” Shi Hao shook his head. He wished to leave this Art to the Shi Kingdom, and a copy for Shi Village.
Though Willow God had also mastered it, after stepping through the Celestial Bone Gate, his current whereabouts and state were unknown.
Shi Hao did not want the Kunpeng Art lost to the world.
The bone was brought. Nothing could stop Shi Hao. As evening approached, he drove everyone away, inscribing it alone.
When Shi Zi Ling entered, he saw the boy soaked in blood, crying out in panic, forcibly halting him.
“My Emperor!” the elder kings trembled, desperately trying to prevent him from continuing.
“My body fails. I keep slipping into a coma. It seems even if I try my hardest, I may only complete half the Art,” Shi Hao softly sighed.
As night neared, the Evergreen Mountain grew restless. Another group had arrived, over a hundred people, shouting and rushing toward Shi Hao’s small courtyard.
“Grandfather!” Shi Hao dropped the bone fragment, tears clouding his eyes. People from Shi Village had come. Nearly half the village had arrived.
Leading was Elder Shi Yun Feng, followed by Shi Fei Jiao, Shi Lin Hu, Qing Feng, Little Rascal, Hu Zi, and many other uncles and aunties.
Such a noisy crowd, all with red eyes, packed into the yard, only allowing some inside the room.
“Child, you’ve suffered. Let’s go home!” the old leader trembled, stroking his head, just like when he was small.
“Staying here means only death. We’ll heal you back in the village!” Er Meng shouted, careless of everything.
“Elder said so—we still have many ancestral treasures in the village. If we gather all old family heirlooms and boil them in the cauldron, maybe we can make Elixir Liquid (xiān dān yè). We’re going home. No more waiting here!” Da Zhuang roared.
Hearing these words, Shi Hao wanted to smile, but his eyes blurred with warm tears streaming down.
Clearly, Er Meng, Da Zhuang, and others had heard rumors from the lords after arriving at Evergreen Mountain.
“Go home, child. Go back with us,” Shi Lin Hu said, holding back tears.
Shi Hao smiled, yet tears fell. His heart felt warm, filled with reluctance, as he said, “Yes, we’ll return. Back to Shi Village. I miss all of you.”
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